In this episode, Evia Russell and I talk about the benefits of cooperative care training and how important it is if you want to keep your pet as healthy as possible. Do you have a pet who panics at the vet clinic? Do you struggle to do routine grooming with your pet? Are you filled with dread every time your pet has a medical issue because they can’t be touched by a veterinarian? Fear not! Learn more about cooperative care training and our new virtual Happy Handling program. We discuss:

• Why cooperative care training should be an essential part of pet care
• The difference between a "need" and a "want" in veterinary care
• Benefits to the human-animal bond through cooperative care training
• Giving animals agency and "Start" and "Stop" button behaviors
• Short-term investment for long-term gain for veterinarians and caretakers
• Launching our new Happy Handling virtual coaching program

Evia's bio:
Evia Russell is a CDBC and graduated from Carleton College with a B.A. in Animal Behavior. Evia worked in shelters and rescues before transitioning into the veterinary field. She followed her heart to Colorado where she accepted a position at Behavior Vets. She trained with Debbie Martin, renowned for cooperative care and is also a Fear-Free (TM) Certified Veterinary Professional. Evia is also Fear-Free (TM) Certified, a consultant through the IAABC, and is going to vet school at St George’s University starting January of 2023 in order to offer more cooperative handling throughout the veterinary world.

Links:
Contact Behavior Vets at [email protected] if you are interested in the Happy Handling Program!

Interesting studies for a deeper dive into cooperative care training:

Bertilsson, E., & Johnson Vegh, E. (2019). Animals in control – Start-button case studies. Video On Demand, Karen Pryor Clicker Training. https://video. clickertraining.com/programs/animals-in-control- start-button-case-studies?cid=719162

Ramirez, K. (2012). Marine Mammal Training: The History of Training Animals for Medical Behaviors and Keys to Their Success. Veterinary Clinic Exotic Animal Practice, 15, 413-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2012.06.005

Stellato, A.C., Jajou, S., Dewey, C.E., Widowski, T.M., Niel, L. (2019). Effects of a Standardized Four-Week Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning Training Program on Pre-Existing Veterinary Fear in Companion Dogs. Animals, 9, 767. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100767


Theme music composed and performed by Andy Sells

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